Airbus Helicopters H145/Ec145

Twin Turboshaft

The Airbus Helicopters EC145 is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter that has become the gold standard for helicopter emergency medical services across North America and Europe since its introduction in 1999. Originally developed as the BK 117 C-2 through a collaboration between MBB in Germany and Kawasaki in Japan, the type was rebranded EC145 after Eurocopter's formation and is now marketed as the H145 following Airbus Helicopters' 2014 nomenclature change. Its defining characteristic is exceptional hot-and-high performance combined with a spacious cabin that can accommodate two stretchers, making it ideal for air ambulance operations in challenging terrain. Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 or 2E turboshaft engines, the EC145 delivers 738 shaft horsepower per engine and features a hingeless Fenestron tail rotor that reduces noise and improves safety around ground personnel. The helicopter's maximum cruise speed reaches 150 knots with a never-exceed velocity of 155 knots, and it can operate at altitudes up to 20,000 feet with a service ceiling advantage over many competitors in its class. Its 370-nautical-mile range and ability to carry up to nine passengers or 3,600 pounds of cargo externally have made it equally popular for offshore oil support, law enforcement, and corporate transport roles. The EC145 family has accumulated over 6 million flight hours worldwide, with more than 1,500 aircraft delivered. Military variants serve with Germany's Bundeswehr and the U.S. Army's UH-72 Lakota fleet, while civilian operators prize its IFR certification, autopilot capability, and low vibration levels that reduce crew fatigue on long missions. The latest H145 variants introduced a five-bladed main rotor in 2019, further improving payload capacity and reducing vibration, though earlier four-bladed EC145 models remain the backbone of many air medical fleets. SkyMeter has tracked 2,467 flights across 694 airframes and 92 operators, with AIR METHODS LLC the largest observed operator.